Pitino gets 300th victory

No. 8 Louisville wears down Cincinnati, 67-51

AP Photo KYTE102, KYTE103, KYTE101, KYTE104

Eds: APNewsNow. No. 8 Louisville 67, Cincinnati 51. With AP Photos.

AP Sports Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Russ Smith scored 18 points and No. 8 Louisville gave Rick Pitino his 300th victory with the Cardinals by beating Cincinnati 67-51 on Monday night.

Pitino, who earned his 650th career win earlier this season against South Florida, picked up this milestone against Cincinnati counterpart Mick Cronin, a former Cardinals assistant in 2002 and 20’03.

The Cardinals (25-5, 13-4 Big East) picked up their sixth straight win and drew within one-half game of first-place Georgetown, which plays at Villanova on Wednesday. Louisville followed up last season’s victory over the Bearcats in the conference championship game that sparked a Final Four run.

Louisville’s trademark defense ignited this victory, as the Cardinals forced Cincinnati (20-10, 8-9) into a season-high 21 turnovers. Seven came during the first 10 minutes of the second half, including Kevin Ware’s steal and dunk for a 53-42 lead, part of a 23-4 run that put the game away.

BC-BKC—T25-Texas Tech-Kansas,126

No. 4 Kansas beats Texas Tech 79-42

AP Photo KSOW108, KSOW103, KSOW107

Eds: APNewsNow. No. 4 Kansas 79, Texas Tech 42. With AP Photos.

By DOUG TUCKER

Associated Press

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Jeff Withey scored 22 points and every senior had a big night at their last home game, leading No. 4 Kansas past Texas Tech 79-42 at Allen Fieldhouse on Monday night.

Kevin Young had 14 points and Ben McLemore and Travis Releford added 13 apiece as the Jayhawks (26-4, 14-3 Big 12), who took a half-game lead over No. 9 Kansas State in their quest for a ninth straight conference title.

Fueled by Young and Withey, Kansas unleashed a 19-2 run and seized a 45-20 halftime lead. Withey and McLemore combined to score the first 10 points in a 16-3 run to open the second half.

Jordan Tolbert had 16 points for Texas Tech (10-18, 3-14), which lost 60-46 at home to Kansas earlier this season.